A beautifully designed platformer. But once again the difficulty level is not challenging enough.

Age of Wonders 3 gives you challenging 4X strategy within a charming fantasy setting with one of the best enemy AIs I’ve seen in years.

Stylish Noir thriller showing off an interesting story with tense climaxes. But in terms of gameplay and mechanics it stays trivial.

Sucker Punch plays it safe. Compared to its predecessor there is almost no progress. Of course the visuals are better – sometimes they are plainly brilliant. But at its core it could have been so much more.

If you look at Dear Esther as a dark audio book Proteus is like looking at an interactive painting. Taking in every detail in this 8-bit world you realize the emotional power with which visuals and audio can create a poetic artwork.

More of the same, only better: Ghostrunner 2 is even more polished than its predecessor, even faster, even cooler and above all: even more fun.

Finally Madden is on its way to former glory. EA Tiburon is not there yet (at least on One and PS4, whilst PS3 and 360 move closer to the status of the infamous Legacy Editions), but the decisions they made and the steps they took are hopeful.

It shows some flaws in terms of interactive storytelling, but nonetheless 1979 delivers a tense political thriller with strong characters.

Stronghold Crusader Definitive Edition offers the core of the RTS masterpiece in a beautiful, fluid, and improved form – but this time with enough content.

Inspired by the top class and enriched with its own, albeit too few, ideas: If you leave the From Software portfolio aside, Lies of P is one of the best things to come in the soulslike genre.

Realtime strategy on a global scale with very entertaining multiplayer skirmishes but disappointing campaign.

A decent action rpg with anime visuals and twisted story. But the starmain focus of the game are without a doubt the cool fights with their plentiful abilities.

One thing is certain: Once this game gets you hooked, it will eat away every spare hour you have. The football crazier you are the more you’ll get out of it. But be aware that the new features alone are not necessarily worth it, if you have last years’ version, which serves as the solid foundation for the annual relaunch.

The combat is tense and engaging and the character development is relatively unrestricted. Where this coop shooter really shines, though, is the Dark Zone that borrows from games like DayZ. This is a good start for a franchise that could surpass Destiny if Massive continues to build on its strengths.

Compare this to Ori and the very conservative interpretation feels old-fashioned. It shows some cool gadgets, though, while the weaponry and abilities are well connected to the exploration. But nonetheless this is “too” retro for me.

A great example for psychological horror, unfortunately held back by some frustrating puzzle designs and the laborious door and inventory handling.

Stealth Inc. requires skilful hands as much as it puts your brain to work. Complex puzzles combine cleverly conceived set pieces into challenging levels.

Hatsune Miku’s 3DS gig delivers. Personally I don’t like the chosen style, but that doesn’t mean that I cannot appreciate the rhythm game hiding under there. If it only would be more accurate when it comes to swipe movements of the stylus.

The presentation leaves something to be desired here and there but in terms of content you’ll get a decent mixture of diplomacy and warfare in a 16th century setting.

Even if there are problems with the story and its presentation, Last Epoch inspires in most other aspects and does not have to hide from the genre competition.

This is a very good port of a game that captures the fascination “space” like no other adventure out there – with all the strengths and weaknesses that you could witness with its PC brother.

A very intense character study embedded in a captivating fantasy adventure. Technically surprisingly impressive on Switch.

Like Journey or Limbo Far stands out with its combination of art- and sound design embedded in beautifully crafted story.

Enjoyable point & click adventure with a touch of mystery, a very unique visual design and entertaining, yet sometimes incoherent puzzles.

A visually extremely unsophisticated horizontal shooter that shines mechanically: The amount of weapon systems as well as the ballistic trajectory feature make this an insiders’ tip.

On Vita it was an exceptional game. On PS4 it still is a good game with freedom of movement. Some control aspects of the original couldn’t be reproduced, though, while certain element didn’t stand the test of time.

Incredibly charming paper adventure with only few rpg elements. Story and scenario are diverse, the dialogue is funny while the battles are thoroughly entertaining.

If you're looking for a game to justify project Greenlight, this is it! It would have been a damn shame if this little platforming gem couldn't have been released.

Well done, Creative Assembly. Attila is the game that Rome 2 should have been. It still has its flaws but this fifth century survival strategy is quite entertaining.

Even though the content updates from the other platforms are included from the get-go and make this a decent port of the tactic role-playing to Switch, there is still too much grind, too many fights against weak opponents. Plus you encounter performance problems that were not present on other systems.

Even if the One version didn’t get any enhancements or improvements: This is not only a loving homage to, but still the best direct interpretation of the Souls games as a 2D platformer.

If you are looking for surprises, intense direction and tense exploration in a horror environment, this one definitely is for you.

A nice collection of classics that will take you to an era where the fight between Nintendo and Sega was at its peak.

I liked the 3DS-version and I thoroughly enjoyed the HD-reunion with Chris, Jill and their enemies – especially on Wii U, which benefits from some exclusive features.

Autumn Dynasty Warlords is yet another proof that you can experience challenge and innovative strategy on tablet devices.

Technically crisp hybrid of dogdeball and online-action. But despite on-the-spot controls you’ll never get the “one-more-match"-urge.

With over 20 Towers and Traps, three distinctive character classes and 13 maps that can be discovered even after the campaign is finished this is an entertaining hybrid of classic tower defense and hack&slay.

Even with the technical problems that are even more evident on Switch than two years on PS4 or One, this is still one frightening horror-trip.

While the basic content with its Yakuza-like mechanic, but a new interesting portagonist is still entertaining, even though it doesn’t stray too far from its roots, it is the optional DLC that leaves a bad taste.

When it comes to driving physics and the core elements of simulation this is the game to beat. But in terms of content, the dysfunctional AI-revolution and microtransactions right from the start I rather go back to Forza 4 or wait for Gran Turismo 6.

Demanding challenges, a thrilling highscore chase and an editor – all rolled into one atmospheric jump&run. The inaccurate controls spoil the fun, though.

Quotation forthcoming.

It's the multiple approaches to a problem and numerous ways to reach your target that define this experience. This fifth Hitman is the antihero's best adventure yet.

The New Order showcases a few good ideas that would help to bring old school action into a modern era. Unfortunately AI and technical issues hinder the progress. In the end BJ Blazkowicz’s comeback is entertaining though.

Sunderfolk is a good start to introduce beginners to the world of tabletop games without a complex set of rules and a lot of setup. The controls via app are technically well done, while at the same time the gameplay is challenging enough to allow the player to spend hours and hours in the world of Arden.

This is a good soccer game! But this is not a spectacular mobile version of FIFA 12, it is rather a variation of FIFA 11. It looks great, it plays more like arcade-soccer and offers less content than its big brother.

This could be the future of competitive tactical action, especially if it offers more mode variety and gets optimized matchmaking.

You can never have enough Doom Eternal. The Ancient Gods is a great campaign extension of a brilliant shooter.

The charming and idiosyncratic mix of platforming and action roleplaying is held back by some design flaws as well as some inconsistencies.

A fascinating mix of roleplaying, rogue-like dungeon crawler and tower defense, that demands a high frustration threshold.

Nice old-school action with challenging boss battles and rad sound, albeit not as pretty or polished as Blazing Chrome.

Quotation forthcoming.

In terms of technical achievement Detention is mediocre at best. Having said that, it is hard not to like the suspense and weird moments you encounter in this surreal horror adventure.

Soma is a prime example for Frictional Games strengths’ in terms of world conception, direction and storytelling. Get ready to be drawn in a disturbing world of machine beings.

Mechanically Harmonix has outdone themselves. The freestyling for guitarists and vocalists works well and adds to an already motivating partygame. But the omissions of quickplay setlists, treaining or asynchronous competition as well as the unoptimized import of legacy content rather makes me go back to the old gen versions, which, at this point in time, deliver a more complete experience.

Not a bad port, but weak DualSense support, cross-play problems and untransferable PS4 savegames stop the fun in its tracks sometimes.

Short but moving VR adventure with unique wink controls made for VR!

Pepper Grinder impresses with incredibly smooth gameplay, cleverly designed levels and fresh mechanics at every corner. Only the boss fights spoil the soup a little.

Improved controls, believable driving physics and a lot of other improvements make this the best freight vehicle simulator.

If you want nothing more than a party snack, this is it – especially with the cross-platform gaming. But in the long run it lacks variety.

This is a remarkable premier for the Canadian team IronOak Games. This varied adventure constantly feels like you’re playing a board game with enhanced roleplaying, not only because of the wood carved design of the characters.

While the concept shines, the execution sometimes is not as elaborated. Nonetheless I left this grey and pixelated world in good spirit.

A good jump&run reminiscent of Donkey Kong Country wrapped in beuatiful pixelart visuals. I wouldn’t mind if Kaze becomes a franchise.

So this is what Left 4 Dead feels like in the Warhammer universe...Surprisingly good.

This is a huge Lego adventure with quite a few changes and improvements. But amidst all this gain it lost some of the charm.

The Touryst is a small, ressourceful and exceptionally adorable adventure.

While the beginning is almost everything you could wish for from a classic horror experience, Wilson’s Heart soon loses itself in uninteresting “explore, pick up, use, repeat”. It still shows how effective subtle horror can be in VR even though it never gets to prove it fully.

A conservative Jump'n'Run in a positive sense: playfully appealing hopping adventure - technically spotless and with a lot of additional content.

If you like games like Limbo or Inside, you might fall in love with Little Nightmares.

An instant classic. The brilliant mixture of Risk and Scrabble is as simple as it is motivating: You command troops on the battlefield, rage war with words and try to capture all territories. For merely 400 points every hobby tactician should give this cute letter warfare a chance.

Even with some unnecessary lengths within the collectables Nintendo and Good-Feel delivered again. Yoshi’s Crafted World is a thoroughly entertaining old-school platformer with puzzle elements.

The surreal world shows a lot of potential but fights as well as puzzles are too simple and too monotonous too often.

Fall of Cybertron didn't manage to surpass Melbourne House's eight year old action-adventure on the PlayStation 2 as my favorite Transformers game. Nonetheless High Moon Studios' interpretation of the conflict between Autobots and Decepticons is definitely worth a look.

Is it better than its Wii U sibling? No doubt. But “better” doesn’t make the DX version automatically “good” - especially since some of the flaws on Wii U like the redundant solo campaign or the still unbalanced fighting squad are not ironed out. At least you get a little more content and improved multiplayer capabilities.

Warzone 2.0 is the necessary modernization of the still entertaining Battle Royale variant of Call of Duty. DMZ as an extraction mode is a successful extension.

Arkane studios don’t just quote System Shock but show in all areas how pleaeantly challenging modern games can be. There are technical shortcomings (mainly on consoles), but in the long run (especially the most intense last third) you will be more surprised than in almost any other game in recent years.

Quotation forthcoming.

If you like slasher movies from Halloween to Scream and back, you’ll get your kicks out of Until Dawn. The often mentioned butterfly effect is underutilized and merely an illusion, but the script with its twists and turns will give you chills and the occasional scare. Nice.

Relaxed photo safari with plenty of charming Pokémo. But the concept is very limited and shows problems with picture recognition and assessment.

Form a historical point of view, this is an interesting collection of exotic handheld oldies in a technically great new form. But the games themselves are not really that exciting anymore.

It still is a charming mix of Jump’N’Run and editor. But while Sumo Digital managed to enhance the latter, the light footed magical approach to the Story of the first got lost – obviously that was one of Media Molecule's specialties.

Focuses more on action and less on tactical advancement. Additionally the campaign is rarely a challenge. If you're into multiplayer (regardless if cooperative or versus) the Ghosts might be worth a closer look though. But if you're hoping to get a continuation of the virtues of Advanced Warfighter, you will be disappointed.

This is a fascinating experiment with great ideas. Unfortunately story and game get lost in a superficial void.

Gamefreak managed to enhance the nostalgia of past games with creative improvements. Regardless if you are a veteran or a beginner, there are loads of incentives to catch em all.

Saints & Sinners delivers a tense fight for survival in VR with crafting-focus and some blemishes like inadequate explanations of relevant mechanics or poor AI.

SpongeBob SquarePants: Giant Tides is a powerful 3D platformer with sponge-tastic gameplay flow and perfect childish humor – only some annoying race tracks slowed down my fun.

The origins as a hobby project are too visible from the get-go. Clumsy controls and problematic camera are not up to par - but unfortunately these are the cornerstone of any decent platformer.

The mechanics will keep you hooked with a fresh mix of strategic planning and real time action. Unfortunately the presentation can’t keep up.

More than just a definitive edition, this revamped vision of an undervalued hack&slay series mixes everything together that you loved about Van Helsing and Katarina and puts a fresh spin on it. Nice!

Small and sometimes clumsy, but nonetheless charming action adventure in the tradition of The Legend of Zelda.

Yes, Stella Glow gives you nothing but old-fashioned tactics roleplaying. But it also is challenging, while adding a motivating character development.

Assassin's Creed Shadows immerses us in a beautiful and, above all, atmospheric feudal Japan, where individual aspects of the game have been cleverly improved. However, an unexciting story, weaknesses in the AI and the repetitive, monotonous gameplay prevent the latest installment in the series from generating much excitement.

It was a good idea to combine Layton and Wright. It could have been better though if both elements were merged more.

The bold mix of mature themed story-adventure and motivating puzzles works surprisingly well and glues you to the pad. If you're looking for something out of the ordinary you should give Catherine a chance. Most likely you will fall in love with her.

The pinball experience behind the lenses of PSVR is just as great as it was on Rift. But here (and even on PS4 Pro) you get jaggy visuals that make sure you don’t play as long as you intended.

Two years after its’ premiere The Banner Saga still is a creative example for a well conceived mix of art design, storytelling and turn-based tactics well worth an award – this is chess with drama, battles and consequences. But technical problems and the occasional bug make sure show that the console version is not as polished as the PC brother – too bad.

Metal: Hellsinger is an exciting genre fusion with a great soundtrack. Scope, arsenal, boss design and enemy variety leave a lot to be desired.

You like jump&runs and find the world of Little Big Planet adoring? Then there is no way, you should pass this game by. On PS5 the visuals are crisp, while audiohaptic feedback enhances this charming platformer.